The Spy Hidden in the Government

"Many people are now exhibiting symptoms of drowsiness. Could it be that the Life Reversal Talisman has begun to absorb the lifespan of ordinary people?"

Lan Ting shook his head. "That's not the case. Lifespan is the foundation of life, and it's not so easily shaken. From your description, people have only been showing signs of drowsiness in the last few days. This is just the prelude. It will take at least half a month before they truly begin to absorb lifespan."

"The process of formally absorbing lifespan is extremely long and difficult to detect."

"But there are also ways to forcibly activate the Reverse Lifespan Talisman."

"What method?!" Lu Yang pressed.

Lan Ting said solemnly, "Using the Reverse Lifespan Talisman as the node, arrange them into a Reverse Lifespan Array, and use human blood as the catalyst. There's no need to wait half a month to activate the array, using the lifespan of mortals to enhance one's own cultivation!"

In reality, the Reverse Lifespan Talisman and the Reverse Lifespan Array are quite obscure knowledge, with only a handful of books mentioning them. Furthermore, because the Reverse Lifespan Talisman is a genuinely heretical and unorthodox practice, the books that record it are listed as forbidden books. Even those with extensive knowledge of array formations may only have heard of the Reverse Lifespan Talisman by name, without recognizing its pattern.

In other words, Lanting came from the Moon Laurel Fairy Palace and was qualified to access these forbidden books.

She claims to have little knowledge of formations, but the knowledge she has shown so far cannot be described as merely "little knowledge".

Lanting added, "However, the person who wrote the Reverse Lifespan Talisman probably wouldn't be able to activate the Reverse Lifespan Array. Before the Reverse Lifespan Array is activated, there aren't even any signs of drowsiness, making it even more secretive. But it's also possible that the Reverse Lifespan Array is still being set up and hasn't been completed yet."

Meng Jingzhou and Man Gu, who were listening nearby, also realized the problem. The fact that everyone in Yanjiang County was drowsy meant that the Life-Reversing Talisman was hidden in various locations throughout Yanjiang County!

The person hiding in the shadows has grand ambitions!

"What level can the Reverse Lifespan Array elevate the caster to after activation?"

Lan Ting shook her head. "It's hard to say. It depends on how much lifespan the formation absorbs. We can't tell yet."

"Let's go check out the Big Stone Bridge, maybe there are still some there!" Lu Yang called to the three of them.

To the west of Yanjiang County flows a large river called Yinlong River. The section of Yinlong River that passes through Yanjiang County has a gentle current, and people often enjoy visiting it. It is a major scenic spot in Yanjiang County, and the name "Yanjiang" for Yanjiang County comes from this river.

The "Big Stone Bridge" that Lu Zhi mentioned when he attempted to burglary is located here.

It was the dead of night, and there was no one in the sky above the Hidden Dragon River. The four of them went to the Great Stone Bridge and searched it thoroughly, but they still couldn't find a new Reversal Lifespan Talisman.

"As expected, the other party isn't stupid; they wouldn't place two Life-Reversing Talismans in the same place."

Early the next morning, Constable Wei went to find Chief Constable Fang Qingyun.

"Xiao Wei, what do you need me for?"

"Master, have you noticed that recently, people in Yanjiang County are generally going to bed early and having trouble getting up in the morning?"

Fang Qingyun nodded. "That's true. I think it's possible that the cost of living in Yanjiang County has increased, but incomes haven't, leading to greater financial pressure on the people, who are working hard during the day to earn money."

Officer Wei rubbed his temples in pain, carefully choosing his words: "Master, I know you really want a promotion, and you've been reading books on social economics lately to lay a good foundation for future advancement. But have you ever considered that you're simply not suited for development?"

"Speak your mind, or shut up!"

"... Here's what happened. Last night, some concerned citizens caught a burglar. According to the burglar, he accidentally obtained a talisman that could induce sleep, making people within a radius of about fifty meters drowsy."

Officer Wei took out the talisman from the sealed box.

The seal had a sealing effect. He found that the sleeping talisman had no effect on him, but it worked extremely well on ordinary people. Everyone he worked the night shift with fell asleep.

He had no choice but to lock the talisman in the box.

Do you recognize this?

Fang Qingyun examined the matter for a moment, then shook his head, indicating that he didn't know the person either. "Prefect Li is knowledgeable and experienced; perhaps he does."

When the two of them found Prefect Li, he was engrossed in handling government affairs.

The two men were full of admiration for Prefect Li. As Golden Core cultivator, Prefect Li had been in Yanjiang County for twenty years, and Yanjiang County had not changed at all. However, whenever superiors came to inspect Yanjiang County, or when Prefect Li went to report to his superiors, Yanjiang County would always show its best side, as if Yanjiang County had undergone earth-shattering changes in the past twenty years.

"Prefect Li, I have something to report!" Fang Qingyun said.

Prefect Li put down his writing brush and gestured for the two men to sit down and talk.

Constable Wei truthfully reported the events of the previous night and presented the talisman to Prefect Li for his review.

Prefect Li squinted, let out a soft "hmm," as if remembering something, and fell into deep thought. After a few minutes, he said, "If my memory serves me correctly, this is a Life-Reversing Talisman?"

"Thirty years ago, when I was in charge of combating demonic forces in Poyang County, I was exchanging experiences with colleagues from other counties when one of them introduced this kind of talisman, saying that it was a lifespan-reversing talisman that could absorb a person's lifespan and convert it into cultivation power. It was an indisputable demonic method."

Prefect Li solemnly said, "The Spring Festival is approaching, and a large number of people from other counties will come to visit, including both ordinary people and cultivators. The Spring Festival is the most prestigious event for Yanjiang County, and we cannot afford any mistakes. You must catch the demonic cultists who posted these talismans before the Spring Festival begins!"

"These demonic cultivators are utterly lawless and have no regard for the imperial court!"

"Chief Constable Fang, you must pay special attention to this matter. Once the Life-Reversing Talisman gains power, the consequences will be dire!"

Then Prefect Li changed the subject. "Of course, if you catch the culprit, it will be a great achievement, and I will report it to the higher-ups. If possible, you should break through your cultivation level; that would make your promotion a certainty."

"Yes!"

"You can all go now, I have another meeting later."

The next day, Lu Yang and the others wanted to continue searching for the location of the Life Reversal Talisman based on the clues. Before they even left, Chief Chu sent someone to tell Lu Yang to come over.

Lu Yang didn't understand why Chief Chu had only called him. He became secretly wary, feeling that something was amiss.

Chief Chu sat on a jade chair, his hand supporting his head. He wore a mask and spoke in a hoarse voice, "I heard you caught a thief last night and found a yellow talisman that makes people fall asleep?"

Lu Yang respectfully replied, "Yes, I suspect that the yellow talisman paper is a method used by our demonic path. I want to find the person who wrote the talisman paper, kill and rob them, and learn the skill of drawing this kind of talisman paper!"

Chief Chu waved his hand. "It's certainly necessary to maintain good relations with the government, but this time is different. The government will investigate this matter thoroughly, and with the involvement of Golden Core cultivator, the truth will come out soon. Don't get involved anymore, lest you expose your identity and get yourself implicated."

"It's just a talisman that puts people to sleep; it's not worth the risk."

Lu Yang was startled. Chief Chu had learned about what happened last night this morning, and he also knew that Golden Core cultivator would be involved. Even Lu Yang himself was unaware of this.

Yan Jiangduo has planted spies within the government!